# Strategy @ IoT lab

# Kalmar against the future

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13:00 - 14:30. Initial discussions
14:30 - 14:45. PHOTO!
15:00 -...> Dean is visiting.

# Agenda

1. Opening Remarks and Introduction
2. Purpose of the Strategy Meeting
3. Current State of the Department
- Teaching
- Research
- Position within LNU
- Discussion and Reflections
4. Review of our Vision at LNU
- Our role within Kalmar and Växjö communities
- Ongoing collaborations and impact
- Discussion and Reflections
5. Overview of Competencies, Network & Assets
- IoT Lab
- Regional Networks
- Existing Collaborations and Partnerships
- Applied Projects
- Academic Output
- Discussion and Reflections
6. Visioning Exercise: Where Do We Want to Be in 5-10 years?
- Staffing Goals (PhD students, Postdocs, Professors)
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Goals
- Linkage to our Research Environment
- Discussion and Brainstorming
7. Strategic Roadmap: How Do We Get There?
- Enhancing Existing Projects
- Future Project Ideas
- Course Enhancement and Development
- Synergies with Existing Courses
- Internal and External Collaboration Opportunities
- Discussion and Action Planning
8. Next Steps and Responsibilities
9. Closing Remarks

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# Purpose of this exercise

To get a common understanding on our research group:

- Where are we at present?
- Teaching
- Research
- Position within LnU

- Where do we want to be in a distant (5-10 years) future?
- In the next 1-2 years, what is our plan to go from present to future?

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# Starting point - Vision at LNU

- Kalmar Kommun, Regionen och företag i Kalmar. Stort behov av lokal kompetens.
- Vi har små resurser, en korridor. Samverka.
- Forskning på tillämpad på systemnivå.
- IoT och tekniker kring detta – för tillämpningar inom samhälle.
- Idag; begränsad grupp, 2 postdocs + 2 seniorer + 20 % prof.
- Konstgjord andning med finansiering från ERUF

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# Starting point competences, network & assets

- IoT-lab
- Nätverk i regionerna – mycket företag och offentlig sektor.
- Kurser, exempelvis IoT sommarkurs (stort nätverk)
- Samarbeten med University Bremen, University Valencia, ICTP Trieste.
- Applied projects, MS Dessi, Smart Lashing, Beehive, etc.
- +5 publications / year. Mainly conferences
- Web programming - strength. Most popular program at LNU. Top 5 Sweden.
- Competences
- We are applied. Research engineers. Able to DO things.
- Teaching experts with good foundation in industry.
- Resarchers, diverse backgrounds (such as energy engineering ... :) )
- Strength with a core group that is synchronized.
- We are at work.
- We are supportive of each other.

(Tobias basically agrees)

## Add to the discussion

- We should really have a strong vision together. Were we feel that we are a part of something together. Generally in academia you're in it for your own career.
- We should include student more in the research.

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# Education

- We are now post-covid.
- Students need to be on campus
- In terms of teaching in the era of AI. Even more important.
- Cancel the intake of distance programs at Web Dev. We're going to get fired! :100:
- We are not efficient. :)

## Under graduate
- Software Eng. ~30 campus students
- Web Programming ~32
- Interaktionsdesign 30?
- MAYBE? System architect (Systemvetare) 30?

Kanske: Fler ing. Drift? Ingenjör.

## Post graduate
- Master. Tillämpad teknik. IoT. Tillämpad teknik i samhälle.
- PhD
- Direkt kopplat till vår forskningsmiljö.

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# Vision – where do we want to be in 5-10 years?

5 PhD students
3 Post docs
+4 Associate Profs
1-2 Prof Full time

- + 20 MSEK /y
- + 16 MSEK external funding

A strong environment - such as DISA ...

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# Goals - How do we work from here?

On-going courses and exams
New courses and exams
Synergies with existing courses
Collaboration within/outside LnU

- KK stiftelsen. https://www.kks.se/program-utlysningar/starka-miljoer/
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- Long hanging fruit:
- Connecting with Informatics.
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- How do we bridge the different programs. We need to have a progression journey through the education.
- It might not be that easy if we don't align the programs in a good manner.
- Could the CS students fit in to the M.Sc program developed by Informatics? Might be a better option.
- Co-reading. This is something of a low hanging fruit. But - essential it needs to be on the same campus.

- Problem: We are now split in half. People going to campus Växjö/Kalmar. Not optimal.

- How do we keep campus students happy? How do we make it a succesful campus programme?
- Running _with_ the students.
- Being on campus.
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## Name dropping

- IT utbildningarna i Kalmar

## Concrete action points

- Tobias - in charge of the education and synergies.
- Talk with other that are responsible of programs here in Kalmar.
- Fredrik and Martin
- Formulate a name and vision for the research area.
- Where do we find funding
- 20 MSEK/y
- The research area:
- System Level ( ... Engineering.)
- Applied Focus (cross discplinary) in IoT and AI etc.
- Making a difference in society. Closely linked to state-of-the-art applications.
-

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1. Enhancing Research Infrastructure:
- Current state of our infrastructure
- Areas for improvement
- Action steps for improvement

2. Recruitment and Retention Strategies:
- Current strategies
- Effectiveness of current strategies
- New strategies to consider

3. Building a Strong Research Culture:
- Current culture
- Desired culture
- Steps to create desired culture

4. Collaborations and Partnerships:
- Current partnerships
- Potential partnerships
- Steps to form/strengthen partnerships

5. Funding and Grants:
- Current funding situation
- Potential funding sources
- Steps to secure more funding

6. Marketing and Visibility:
- Current marketing efforts
- Effectiveness of current efforts
- New marketing strategies to consider

7. Cross-disciplinary Opportunities:
- Current cross-disciplinary activities
- Potential collaborations with the Informatics department
- Steps to initiate or enhance collaborations

8. Professional Development:
- Current professional development opportunities
- Desired opportunities
- Steps to provide desired opportunities

# Building a strong educational culture

- Refrain from offering mixed campus courses as they tend to utilize resources inefficiently and may potentially diminish student motivation.
- Offer on-campus education opportunities with benefits (own workarea).
- Emphasize on student interaction.
- Conduct seminars and workshops.
- Implement secure, oral examination methods.
- Encourage active learning and student engagement.
- Use the latest educational tools and technology.
- Foster cooperative learning through student-centric projects.
- Involve students in ongoing research projects.
- Collaborate with companies by inviting them to campus.
- Work on real-world issues presented by these companies.

# Key Discussion Points and Questions

- How can we enhance our current teaching methodologies to better prepare students for the future of IoT and Computer Science?
- What are the main areas of research that we should focus on to stay at the forefront of IoT and Computer Science research?
- How can we strengthen our position within LnU and beyond?
- What collaborations or partnerships could we build or strengthen to benefit our research and teaching capabilities?
- What new courses or programs should we develop to meet future needs in IoT and Computer Science?
- What are some concrete steps we can take in the next 1-2 years to move us closer to our vision?
- What are the key synergies that can be exploited within the department to achieve our goals?
- How can we leverage our existing network and collaborations for the benefit of the department?
- How can we better align our academic output with our vision and goals for the department?

1. **Enhancing Research Infrastructure:** Strong research requires state-of-the-art infrastructure. This includes labs, software, hardware, and other resources that students and staff can use to conduct high-quality research.

2. **Recruitment and Retention Strategies:** Attracting and retaining quality staff and students is crucial. Discuss strategies to attract more students and lecturers, perhaps by improving the appeal of your programs, enhancing the work environment, and offering competitive salaries and benefits for lecturers.

3. **Building a Strong Research Culture:** A culture that promotes research, intellectual curiosity, and continual learning can help stimulate innovation and attract more students and lecturers. Discuss ways to cultivate such a culture.

4. **Collaborations and Partnerships:** Partnerships with other universities, research institutions, and industry can help enhance your research capabilities and attract more students and lecturers. They can also provide opportunities for funding and knowledge exchange. Consider discussing how to form or strengthen these partnerships.

5. **Funding and Grants:** Research requires funding. Discuss strategies to secure more funding, such as applying for grants, forming partnerships with industry, or hosting fundraising events.

6. **Marketing and Visibility:** Improving the visibility of your department can help attract more students and lecturers. This could involve updating your department’s website, increasing your presence on social media, attending and presenting at conferences, or publishing more research in reputable journals.

7. **Cross-disciplinary Opportunities:** Discuss potential synergies with the Informatics department, particularly in the context of their new program in Systems Engineering. Collaboration could provide opportunities for shared courses, joint research projects, and cross-departmental events.

8. **Professional Development:** Providing opportunities for staff and students to further their skills and knowledge can help attract and retain quality people. Discuss potential professional development opportunities such as workshops, seminars, or courses.